Insurance workflow management server, system and method

Abstract

Some embodiments of the invention include a workflow management system including a server, a user terminal configurable as a geographically distributed computing network in network communication with the server. The server is configured to execute the software instructions to automatically direct a user through an insurance account binding process by communicating with the server using the user terminal. The system is configured to execute the software instructions to automatically generate a document library that includes a folder structure associated with a particular account. An automated email server can email the account to at least one insurance market or underwriter based at least in part on user preference. Further, the software application can provide for a drag and drop feature where a user selecting, dragging and dropping an icon representing an electronic file, and automatically saving the file in a named folder corresponding to the electronic file.

1 . An insurance workflow management system comprising:
 a server having at least one processor, memory, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium in data communication with the processor;   a user terminal configurable as a geographically distributed computing network in network communication with the server, wherein the user terminal comprises a virtual/personal computer having a processor, memory, a hard disk, a video card, a display, and input/output devices; and   a software application installed on the non-transitory computer-readable medium and operated by the server, the software application including software instructions comprising the workflow management system, and wherein the server is configured to execute the software instructions to automatically direct a user through an insurance account binding process by communicating with the server using the user terminal, and   wherein the system is configured to execute the software instructions to automatically generate a document library stored on at least one of the hard drive of the server and a remote data storage, the document library including a folder structure associated with a particular account, the folder structure being automatically created by the server in response to the server executing the software instructions based on user input and a life cycle of the account, the life cycle comprising account initiation and clearance, and management from clearance through one or more intermediary steps and to invoicing the account, and   wherein the system comprises or is linked to an automated email server, the automated email server configured to email the account to a 3 rd  party; and   wherein the software application operating on the server is configured and arranged to provide for a drag and drop feature, wherein the drag and drop feature comprises a user selecting, dragging and dropping an icon representing an electronic file, and automatically saving the file in a named folder corresponding to the electronic file; and wherein the server executing the software instructions is configured to enable the user to drag an account submission received into the email server from an insurance agency over the internet, and displayed on a GUI of the display to at least another portion of the GUI to initiate a life cycle.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server executing the software instructions based on user input enables the user to perform a drag and drop action from one portion of the GUI to another portion of the GUI to update or access the life cycle of the account. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the automated email server is configured to email the account to at least one insurance market or underwriter based at least in part on user preference. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the account submission comprises a submission from an agency for an insured looking for a specific piece of insurance coverage. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each named folder of the workflow management system is associated with a particular step required to process and manage an account. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an automatic email save function, wherein emails sent through the system are automatically saved in a folder of the folder structure of the electronic library in response to executed code of the software application by the server. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server is configured and arranged to automatically create a copy of the dragged electronic file for the user to redact in response to dragging the electronic document and dropping it in an active window displayed on the user terminal. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the life cycle comprises steps to process one or more accounts, the steps comprising application sections including at least one of clearance, submit to market, quote to agent, bind and invoice, endorsements, accounting, and claims. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the steps comprise a specific sequence of steps of clearance, followed by submit to market, followed by quote to agent, followed by bind and invoice, followed by endorsements, followed by accounting, and followed by claims. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the software application operating on the server is configured and arranged to enable a user to access or enter specific information for one or more accounts including at least one of loss information history and claim information for a specific submission, underwriting information, one or more carriers information, premium and deductibles, and quote information. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the software application operating on the server is configured and arranged to enable a user to generate taxes on an account and use rating tools to underwrite an account. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server executing the software instructions based on user input is configured to enable the user to drag into the GUI claim adjuster information sent from a carrier assigned to an insurance claim. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server executing the software instructions based on user input is configured to enable the user to send insurance adjuster information to an agent. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the software application includes executable code to enable the server to display a dashboard including widgets to show in real-time or substantially real-time at least one of retail agencies revenues, carriers premiums, month to date results, year to date results, producer monthly projections, marketing calendar, pipeline, overdue receivables and suspense, and account reconciliation. 
     
     
         15 . A workflow management system comprising:
 a server having a processor, memory, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium in data communication with the processor;   a user terminal configurable as a geographically distributed computing network in network communication with the server, wherein the user terminal comprises a virtual/personal computer having a processor, memory, a hard disk, a video card, a display, and input/output devices; and a software application installed on the non-transitory computer-readable medium and operated by the server, the software application including software instructions comprising the workflow management system, and wherein the server is configured to execute the software instructions to automatically direct a user through an insurance account binding process by communicating with the server using the user terminal, and   wherein the software application operating on the server is configured and arranged to provide for a drag and drop feature, wherein the drag and drop feature comprises a user selecting, dragging and dropping an icon representing an electronic file, and automatically saving the file in a named folder corresponding to the electronic file, the folder structure being automatically created by the server in response to the server executing the software instructions based on user input in one or more steps of a life cycle of the account, and wherein   the steps comprise application sections including at least one of clearance, submit to market, quote to agent, bind and invoice, endorsements, accounting, and claims.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the system comprises or is linked to an automated email server, the automated email server configured to email the account to at least one insurance market or underwriter based at least in part on user preference. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein each named folder of the workflow management system is associated with a particular step required to process and manage an account. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the life cycle comprises account initiation and clearance, and management from clearance through one or more intermediary steps and to invoicing the account. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising an automatic email save function, wherein emails sent through the system are automatically saved in a folder of the folder structure of the electronic library in response to executed code of the software application by the computing device. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the software application operating on the server is configured and arranged to create a copy of the dragged electronic document for the user to redact in response to dragging the electronic document and dropping it in an active window of the GUI.